Author(s): Michel Soto Chalhoub
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Water resource management; Ecosystems; Ecohydraulics; Sustainable planning; Policies for local community involvement; Rivers and watercourses; Hydraulic structures; Surface water quality
Abstract: Traditional modeling techniques and current open channel formulas that are used to represent river behavior do not capture the peculiarities of seasonal rivers. Measurement of actual and prediction of future discharge have a direct impact on habitat and ecosystems. This affects the estimation of potential habitat deterioration, the planning for mitigation measures and river habitat restoration. The present research discusses the relationship between river analysis methods and water policies in developing countries. Small watercourses in the East Mediterranean, where field work was performed, are refuges to ecosystems woven into populated mountainous areas. Methods used for perennial rivers do not capture the behavior of seasonal watercourses with complex cross-sections. A regression framework is proposed where the dependent variable is the extent to which end-users engage in sustainable water projects. Independent variables are defined as the extent to which (1) engineering analysis supports public policy decisions, (2) surface water meets household demand and local community sustenance, (3) surface water meets the needs to sustain surrounding ecosystems and habitat inclusive of agricultural areas, and (4) extent to which water resource project management to sustain ecosystems would be entrusted to public sector governing bodies. Results showed a statistical significance of the four variables, with positive correlation for the first and third; and negative for the second and fourth. Qualitative results showed that community involvement is a prerequisite to the success of ecosystem preservation and water projects at large.
Year: 2018